Manchester City Marathon looking good

Sunday

Oct 28, 2007 at 6:08 AMOct 28, 2007 at 6:12 AM

Show time. That's the way I feel about the Manchester City Marathon/Half Marathon, which will makes it debut in the Queen City in one week. An argument could be made that no race in N.H. running history received as much pre-race publicity and attention as Manchester City and now it's time to go to work.

In N.H. there are two or three races that set themselves apart, the Cigna Healthcare 5K, Mt. Washington Road Race, and Great Bay Half Marathon. Cigna is unique for its size and fast field, (close to 5,000 finishers), Mt. Washington for its elite field (national and world champion runners), and Great Bay, along with Mt. Washington, are multiple day events. Manchester City has the potential to pass all of them and become the premier event in the Granite State.

There are currently two marathons in New Hampshire, Clarence Demar in Keene and the N.H. Marathon in Bristol. Both are small events, by design, with about 300 finishers at each race. Next Sunday Manchester City will be bigger than both. About 1,500 runners will start the race (combining the marathon and half marathon) with the split about 50-50.

Size is not the only issue that could make Manchester City special. In many states around the country marathons are the featured event, bringing in the most people, the best runners, and creating the most excitement. That is why a lot of eyes will be on Manchester City as it attempts to put itself in a unique position in this states running community.

Don't underestimate the location. Manchester may not be Boston, New York, or Chicago but it is our biggest city. Holding a race in your biggest metropolitan area tends to give you an opportunity not afforded other races. Media attention is heightened, more folks are impacted, and the atmosphere becomes more "major." An example: the start of the Manchester City race will be on live television, which probably wouldn't happen if the race was in a rural spot.

Manchester City will also be a multi-day event. On Friday and Saturday, the day before the race, there will be a sports and health expo. Dozens of booths will be set up at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Manchester, giving runners and other a chance to see all that the sport has to offer. The expo will be free and should draw a lot of folks. It will also draw a lot of attention to Sunday's races.

As for Sunday, a generous prize package should result in a some pretty good runners for both races. Expect to see some of the region's best runners toeing the line when by the time the starting gun fires at 8:50 (the unique starting time is due to television).

The 1,500 that are expected to run this year's event is the goal that race organizers set when the event was first announced. That many runners puts Manchester City in a position to have the largest number of finishes for a first-time N.H. race. What surprises me is even split between the half and full marathon. There are other Fall half-marathons in N.H. that are major events so I expected less interest in the half than the marathon. Apparently the state of N.H. half-marathons is good if Manchester City can also get a good turnout for a 13.1 mile race.

But the growth of this event probably lies with the marathon. This is a great start and it can only go up. Outside of the Boston Marathon the largest marathon in New England is Vermont City, held in late May in Burlington, Vt. Vermont City draws about 3,000, between marathoners and relay participants. I see Manchester City getting to Vermont City's level. The prize money will bring in faster runners which will bring in added attention. So, folks, this Sunday could be the start of something big.

It's show time.

Running shorts: Next Saturday is the Great Bay 5K, the last race in the 2007 Seacoast Series. Let's hope Mother Nature does not drop the deluge of rain that she dropped in 2006….A few weeks ago I mentioned a new triathlon in the Seacoast but didn't give details. The Pumpkinman short course race, that debuted this past September, is being joined in 2008 by a half-iron. Pumpkinman will be a two day event next year, short course on Saturday and half-iron on Sunday. For more info go to pumpkinmantriathlon.com…Congrats to the Gate City Striders, winners of the 2008 N.H. Grand Prix series. The Great Derry Track Club made a great run for the title but GCS's depth was the deciding factor….Okay, Jacoby Ellsbury is fast going from first to second but how fast would he be at a 5K?